The eastern region had just managed to halt the expansion of the rifts and was catching its breath. They could not stop the relentless advance of the Duchy's army.
Hearing the news, the Royalist faction erupted into chaos. No one had expected the Duchy to move so suddenly.
Bang!
The Kingdom's Commander-in-Chief, Maurice, slammed the table and shouted, "How in the world did they march straight to the east? The southern border was completely blocked!"
His strategists, wearing troubled expressions, answered, "The 4th Corps, which was guarding the path, was annihilated in an instant. It seems the Duchy's army is stronger than we anticipated."
"Damn it! How many of them are there?"
"About 50,000."
"Ugh… Their main forces must be in the south, yet they still have this much capacity?"
At his words, the strategists had no clear answer. The Duchy's full military strength was still unknown. Ever since the south had fallen completely under their control, it had been nearly impossible to send spies.
Maurice, deep in thought, asked, "Can the Eastern Army hold them off?"
"The forces that could be called the Eastern Army haven't even been properly gathered. The lords are acting independently, and they're being defeated one by one."
"Idiots! I told them to unite quickly, didn't I?"
A commander for the Eastern Army had already been appointed, but the lords, preoccupied with handling damage in their own territories, moved sluggishly.
The Duchy had seized that opportunity and moved at the most opportune moment.
"Damn it, they've been so inactive I thought they'd just continue to keep each other in check."
The Duchy likely knew that fighting outright wouldn't be beneficial. Maurice had assumed they would maintain a tense balance of power and drag things out until the allied forces arrived, then crush them all at once with overwhelming numbers.
"Well, they're not stupid. Of course, they wouldn't wait until the alliance is fully assembles."
Maurice stared at the map, lost in thought.
As Commander-in-Chief, he was responsible for making decisions about the war, even though Marquis Branford led the kingdom's domestic politics.
"If we pull troops from the south, their main forces will move as well. But if we stay put, the east will be overrun…"
Although the east wasn't more important than the central region, it couldn't be abandoned. The Duchy could use it as a route to advance on the capital.
"Ugh… What should I do?"
As Maurice agonized, a messenger from the Northern Army arrived.
"I bring words from Count Fenris."
"My nephew?"
Maurice's face brightened. His clever nephew was sure to have a plan.
"Well, what did he say? Is the Northern Army going to move again?"
"No, sir. He requests that half of the Kingdom's forces be sent to stop the Delphine army advancing east."
"What? Half the Kingdom's forces?"
"The coalition forces that have already arrived are heading east. They should arrive before the east is completely occupied. While they buy time, the Kingdom's forces can strike the Delphine army."
"But if we send half our forces, the southern front will weaken. Is that alright? There will be gaps everywhere."
"The Northern Army also plans to head south. The 20,000 troops assembled in the west will fill any gaps."
"Hmm…"
Maurice fell into deeper thought. He had expected the Northern Army to come, but he hadn't considered pulling Kingdom forces out.
The Duchy wouldn't attack only one location. They were sure to strike from multiple directions simultaneously. Even if the Northern Army successfully defended the south, other areas could be breached.
"And with assassins stirring things up, the mood isn't great."
Recently, assassins had run rampant in several territories, killing quite a few lower-ranking officers and administrators.
Of course, the assassins were all caught and killed, unable to escape. High-ranking nobles hadn't been harmed in the slightest.
While the incidents hadn't impacted the larger picture, the rumors were the problem.
"Did they plan this?"
The spread of rumors about the assassinations had indeed unsettled the atmosphere. Combined with a sudden invasion, it created a minor synergy effect.
But that was all. Other than making the soldiers a little nervous, it hadn't been particularly effective.
Maurice tilted his head in confusion.
"For all the effort they put into this, the results are too insignificant. Why bother?"
It would have been better not to attempt assassinations at all. If anything, it had only heightened the Kingdom's vigilance.
A sudden surprise attack wiping out a territory's forces would have had a far greater impact.
"I really don't get it. Were they just throwing random things out, hoping something would stick?"
Maurice's confusion was understandable. The assassins' true goal had been to create an atmosphere that could entangle Ghislain.
After a long period of contemplation, Maurice finally spoke.
"Bring the old woman here. It's been a while since I asked for the will of the heavens."
At his words, the strategists' faces darkened.
'Oh no, here we go again.'
'Sigh, does he really have to do this?'
'There's no stopping him, so what's the point…'
Soon, a hunched old woman entered. Maurice greeted her with delight.
"Oh! Granny! I have an important matter today, and I need you to tell my fortune."
"Hehehe, I knew you'd call for me soon."
"See, that's why you're so amazing. Speaking of which, remember when you said someone I disliked would bring me great fortune? That turned out to be true! That person is now my nephew!"
"Hehehe, I'm glad it turned out well."
"Well then, let's do it again today. Tell me something amazing."
"Of course, of course. So, what's the issue today? I'll tell you whatever you need to know."
The old woman was a shaman who had lived with the marquis family for a long time, offering Maurice various pieces of advice.
Maurice had always been fond of superstitions. His past accusations of Ghislain being a witch or an evil spirit stemmed from this.
Naturally, the priests of the Four Great Churches knew about this, but they turned a blind eye, considering it a mere hobby of the Kingdom's Commander-in-Chief.
Maurice, looking serious, said, "We're in the middle of a war, and it's a real headache. One side is just being pushed back. My nephew is telling me to move another army. Should I do it?"
"Hehehe, let me see."
The old woman took out animal bones from her pouch, drew strange symbols on the floor with red dye, and threw the bones.
"Hohoho!"
Adding odd exclamations, she tossed the bones a few more times, studying them carefully, and muttered, "Hmm… This is…"
"What? What? Is it bad? Should I not move them?"
"No, you should move them. But…"
"But what?"
"Your nephew's family may be in some danger."
"What? Why would moving the army put his family in danger?"
"That's just what the horoscope says. Since your nephew requested the army movement, I also told his fortune."
"Hmm? Alright then. If you say so, I'll move the army. Tell my nephew as well."
"Hehehe, will you be leading the army, Marquis?"
"Of course, as Commander-in-Chief, I must go. Oh, and you'll come with me. Prepare yourself in advance. I'll arrange for the finest carriage so you can travel comfortably. I'll need you to forture before battles. Your health is fine, right?"
"Hehehe, it's perfectly fine. I'll prepare myself."
After the old woman left, Maurice solemnly addressed the Northern Army messenger.
"Tell the Northern Army Commander that I've decided to move the Kingdom's forces. Oh, and let my nephew know about the fortune warning that his family may be in danger. With assassins on the loose, it doesn't hurt to be cautious."
"...Yes."
The messenger, having witnessed the entire process, looked utterly flabbergasted. The fact that the Kingdom's Commander-in-Chief was moving troops based on a fortune-teller's advice made him realize just how grave the Kingdom's crisis was.
"Alright! Let's get moving! It's time to crush those Duchy bastards' heads!"
As Maurice roared and left the room, a few strategists approached the messenger with pleading expressions.
"Please understand. The Marquis didn't used to be like this."
"He lost his youngest child a long time ago and couldn't find them. That's why he started relying on these superstitions."
"It's all because that old woman said he'd find the child someday. That's why he keeps her around."
"He even reserved an estate to give the child if they're ever found. Promised them the title of count too. That's just how a parent's heart works."
"So, don't go spreading this around, alright? Nothing good comes from rumors like this, got it? Which unit of the Northern Army are you from? I've seen your face, remember that."
The strategists, half explaining and half threatening, tried to get the messenger to understand.
The truth was, all the high-ranking nobles already knew about this, but there was no benefit to such information becoming widely known.
The messenger nodded reluctantly, his expression uncomfortable.
"... I won't spread any rumors."
"Good, good. Let's just say none of this happened today. Make sure to explain it well to the Northern Army commander."
"... Understood."
The messenger left with this absurd scene etched in his mind and returned to his camp.
As soon as he got back, he reported to Ghislain.
"They've decided to immediately send half of the Kingdom's forces to the east."
Ghislain nodded. He had expected things to go his way. Even if Maurice opposed it, Marquis Branford would ensure the decision was made.
"Good, the alliance forces are moving as well, so they should arrive around the same time. Did they say anything else?"
"Well, um…"
The messenger hesitated. He wasn't sure if he should mention this. Still, as a messenger, it wasn't his place to withhold information based on personal judgment.
"What is it? Speak freely."
Encouraged by Ghislain's words, the messenger mustered his courage and spoke.
"The Commander-in-Chief warned that your family might be in danger, so you should be cautious."
"Hm? My family? What does that mean?"
"Well, with the recent assassin activity… um… that is…"
As the messenger stammered, Ghislain narrowed his eyes and said, "Just tell me everything, honestly."
"…Alright."
The messenger recounted everything exactly as he had seen and heard it. Trying to sugarcoat or omit details would only make it harder to explain why the warning had been given.
Hearing the story, Ghislain was shocked.
'I didn't think it was that bad.'
He knew Maurice was fond of superstitions, but he hadn't realized the extent of it.
If the fortune-teller had said anything different, Maurice would have been impossibly stubborn. Just imagining it gave Ghislain a headache.
"…Alright, you've done well."
After the messenger left, Ghislain fell into thought. His concerns weren't about Maurice.
The mention of his family being in danger brought the recent assassin activity back to mind.
'They wouldn't be doing something so pointless without a reason…'
Both Fenris and Perdium were well-prepared against assassinations. Unless a superhuman showed up, it would be impossible to harm anyone.
Belinda's assassin squad had been meticulously stationed around his family and key figures, which was why they hadn't joined the Northern Army.
"Surely… do they have another plan?"
The assassins' activities had been conspicuously publicized. Recently, there were reports of assassins causing trouble even in some Northern territories, almost as if signaling they were heading to Perdium.
However, even if they managed to assassinate one of Ghislain's family members, it would only provoke his wrath, not alter the overall situation.
'If that's the case…'
It was clearly a ploy to send him a message. They were luring him, telling him to return because they would target his family.
'If I leave my position…'
The Duchy's main forces would likely advance on the capital during his absence.
'I understand their intent.'
It was obvious this was a scheme by the Duchy to separate him from the Northern Army.
But their exact plans were still unclear. Even if they truly intended to attempt an assassination, how could they plan their advance based on when Ghislain might leave?
'What are they trying to do…'
The answer arrived a few days later when Ghislain received a letter.
[I will kill you. Wait for me in Perdium. If you want to protect your family, you must move immediately.]
Below the blunt message was a drawing of a black crescent moon and the name Melkir signed beneath it.
Now they were openly threatening to kill his family. At this point, it felt like they were begging him to come.
Given the Duchy's clear interest in separating him from the Northern Army, it was unlikely to be a false ploy.
"But what is this?"
The threat itself was straightforward, but the boastful drawing and the name Melkir piqued his curiosity. He had never encountered such a thing in his previous life.
Ghislain gathered his closest confidants, wondering if any of them recognized the name or the symbol.
Everyone gathered with puzzled expressions, except for two individuals whose minds were elsewhere.
'Damn it, another strong one's joined. Just you wait. One day, I'll surpass them.'
Kaor, now recovered from his injuries, gritted his teeth as he glared at Erenes, who was steadily rising in rank within Fenris.
On the other hand, Alpoi, sensing the vast difference in power, immediately gave up on revenge and instead entertained his usual idle thoughts.
'Ah, I want to be a count or a lord too. I'm tired of being a slave.'
It was a consistent desire.
Ghislain clicked his tongue at the two and showed the letter to his confidants.
However, even experienced mercenaries like Gillian and Kaor, knowledgeable individuals like Vanessa, former Magic Tower member Alpoi, the high-ranking Tenant from the west, and the Erenes, who had lived for a very long time, had no idea what it was.
Only one person reacted.
"Young master! This… this is…" Belinda's eyes widened in shock as she looked at the letter.
"Hm? What is it? Do you know what this is, Belinda?"
"Young master! We must return to Perdium immediately."
"I was already planning to go, but why are you so alarmed?"
"The one who sent this… this person always kills the loved ones of their target first, without exception! We must return to Perdium immediately! This is no bluff!"
Belinda was so agitated that she poured out her words in a rush. Her eyes even carried a hint of fear.
"Calm down for a moment. Who is this Melkir? How do you know about them, Belinda? Explain so I can understand."
At those words, Belinda glanced around. There were too many people listening, but she couldn't afford to waste time arguing to clear the room. The situation was too urgent.
Letting out a deep sigh, she spoke in a tone that conveyed her resolve.
"Listen carefully, everyone. I'm about to reveal the secret I've kept hidden until now."
Everyone fell silent. They had all been curious for a long time about her true identity.
Why was she, supposedly just the head maid and tutor of Perdium, so incredibly skilled?
And why did she use techniques that seemed fitting for assassins? Most had already guessed she might be a former assassin.
With everyone's eyes on her, Belinda spoke with a slightly sorrowful look.
"Don't be too shocked by what you hear. The truth is… I am a former member of an assassin group."
At her overly obvious statement, no one was surprised.
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]